Widener coach leaving for Syracuse

Bobby Acosta went 6-4 in his
only season as Widener's head coach.
Widener athletics photo

Widener announced Wednesday that Bobby Acosta has resigned as
head football coach to become an assistant coach at a Division I
FBS program. Local reports in the area and in Syracuse, N.Y.,
identify that school as Syracuse.

Like Elmhurst, Widener will be on its third coach in three
seasons in 2014. Widener athletic director Jack Shafer said a
national search will begin immediately to find a replacement. Mark
Fetterman, assistant head football coach and defensive coordinator,
will assume duties as the interim head coach during the search
process.

"I want to thank Bobby Acosta for his service to Widener and
wish him the best as he continues his coaching career," Shafer
said. "Widener has a long history of head coaches that have had a
high level of success on the football field and in developing
strong leadership skills in our student athletes. We are dedicated
to continuing that tradition."

Acosta became head coach in January 2013 and led the Pride to a
6-4 record in his only season at Widener. The six victories were
most for a first-year coach at Widener since Bill Zwaan went 7-3 in
1997.

Fetterman has served as defensive coordinator for the Pride for
four seasons. His defense played a huge role in victories over
Lebanon Valley and Lycoming in 2012 that helped Widener to the
Middle Atlantic Conference title and a trip to the NCAA
playoffs.